Doing The Lambeth Walk - OI!!

There are better things in life than alcohol, but alcohol makes up for not having them.

There are better things in life than alcohol, but alcohol makes up for not having them.
Terry Pratchett

Beginning of week 3 back at work and 4 weeks since my last update.

Week 1 was the hardest back to work. On the first day I felt like I had the stuffing knocked out of me – having to tell people what had happened and what my prognosis was – made it all a little real. I haven’t had my head in the sand by any accounts but I came back to a new job as a new me – a broken version.

I had got my groove on by Wednesday and then started to get very tired on Thursday and Friday. Week 2 was the same, although I feel my confidence is coming back. Work has been very supportive. I am still attending 2 physio sessions a week and have the odd hospital appointment that they are happy for me to go to.

I am taking it really easy in the evenings. I am still getting to the pool 3 or 4 times a week and enjoying the days I am home from work at 5:30 with nothing but peace and quiet.

It’s still dry July (now I know how Jesus felt with 40 days and 40 nights!) and I am a new woman! I can confidently say I haven’t done anything to hinder my recovery. Only aid it. I feel like Adam Ant is singing down at me: “don’t drink? don’t smoke? What do ya do?” (shuddup Adam you 80’s throwback!)

I now have my new lightweight, carbon fibre AFO’s. And I have purchased 2 pairs of knee high boots that fit and cover them well. After weeks and weeks of accumulating various versions of knee high socks, I finally feel I am reclaiming my legs! Those skirts and dresses Mum and I buried away a few months ago are now within my reach.

Dorsiflexion: Remember the foot action I am missing? The lifting of the foot – the dorsi flexion. I would gauge I have roughly 20/30% back. When my toenails are looking pretty I will post a new video – I have come a long way since “wiggle your big toe”

I hope you like the video of me showing off. You notice a much more upright me, with less wobble.

Most weeks at Physio, I am put through a series of tests I have mapped this chart to show my progression.

TEST 1 – TUG – Timed Up and Go. From a sitting position, stand up, walk around a cone that is 2 metres in front, walk back and sit back down. The aim is to do it in as little time as possible.

TEST 2 – 10 metre walk. Self explanatory but foot steps are also counted. The idea is to do it in the quickest time with the least amount of footsteps.

TEST 3 – 6 minute walk – Walk as far as you can in 6 minutes. UP and down the Breezeway at the Caulfield Hospital. I started on a gutter frame, progressed to zimmer frame, then onto crutches.

I am now being timed on 1 crutch.

It’s not all peaches and cream. I can’t sugar coat everything. But I am in a good space right now. I have come a long way and am nearly at the stage where people will be asking me how I got my little blue car park sticker!

My physio, Rod , and I have set realistic goals (well I set them and Rod tells me if they are realistic or not!)

These are my latest goals:

By the end of July, I should be proficient on one crutch (nearly there!).

By the end of August, I expect to be proficient using one walking stick (starting to practise with 2 at the moment)

By the end of September I envisage I can walk most of the time without support. Just with my AFO’s.

And I am getting away with myself if I go much further than that – Rod thinks – personally I think I will be 90% fixed by Christmas – no AFO’s for most of the time (but I didn't say that out loud as that would make it real!)

Again thanks for all your continued support, it's been appreciated and I will keep updating you all with my progress.